Circuit breaker operating means



DeC- 28, l937- G. A. MATTHEWS CIRCUIT BREAKER OPERATING MEANS Filed Oct. 22, 1934 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Dec. 28, 1937. G, A MATTHEWS 2,103,268

CIRCUIT BREAKER OPERATING MEANS Filed OCt. 22, 1934 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Dec, 28, 1937. G. A, MATTHEWS Filed Oct. 22, 1934 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 om www,

y Ell/D5 atented Dec. 28, 1937 UNITED sTAirr-:s

PATENT OFFICE The Detroit Edison Company, Detroit, Mich.,

a corporation of New Yo Application October 12.2, 1934, Serial N0. 749,401 Claims. (Ci. 175-375) This invention relates in general to circuit breaker operating means and is particularly concerned with a novel arrangement of cooperative parts, whereby improved operation may be attained.

In outdoor sub-stations and the like utilizing,

circuit breakers and disconnecting switches as at present constructed and operated, it is necessary to provide line to ground insulation in the apparatus and devices, and steel structures for supporting the disconnecting devices and the connections to the transmission lines.' Obviously, an installation of this type requires extensive ground area and on the whole is exceedingly expensive.

To the end that a more veconomical installation may be provided, this invention proposes to provide a unitary switching device having both circuit breaker and disconnecting switch features, and embodying a novel operating mechanism and control arrangement which will enable the device to be mounted on a transmission line pole or tower in contiguous relation to the transmission line. Means are also provided, whereby the device may be raised and lowered to operate the disconnecting switch pats.

A further object of the invention resides in the provision of novel operating means for a switching device, which is so arranged as to enable the device to be constructed for operation at line potential above ground potential, and which is controlled through a non-metallic channel at the will of the operator, thus making it unnecessary to resort to the more expensive structures in which the devices must be insulated for line to ground potential.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel mounting and operating means for a unitary switching device embodying circuit breaker and disconnecting switch features.

It is also an object of this invention to provide novel control means for a switching device, `wherein the control station is connected through a non-metallic channel to the operating mechanism associated with the device, thereby safeguarding the operator from possible injury.

Still another object is to provide an operating mechanism for a circuit breaker, in which the mass of the moving parts is relatively small and are adapted to be actuated by a high speed, light weight power means, such, for example, as a motor which may be energized from a low voltage source of supply at the device.

In accordance with the general features of the invention, it is proposed to provide a unitary switching device of such construction that it may embody both circuit breaker and disconnecting switch features. The actuating mechanism for the circuit breaker feature is of such construction that it may be mounted in the device and the entire device suspended from cables by means of 5 which the device may be raised and lowered into remote and juxtaposed positions relative to the transmission lines.. Circuit breaker terminals are provided in the form of disconnecting members which are adapted to resiliently engage the transmission line when the device is raised to a position contiguous the transmission line. By lowering the device, the disconnecting switch parts operatev to isolate the circuit breaker.

VAs an additional feature of the invention, the l5 unitary switching device also contains control relays, a source of power for the motor actuated operating mechanism, and a plurality of photoelectric cells'which are in circuit with the control relays of the device. 'I'he photo-electric cells are 20 so arranged that they may be selectively excited by selective sources of light to open and close the circuit breaker parts of the switching device, whereby the operator is insulated from the switching device by a non-metallic channel.

Other objects and features of this invention will more fully appear from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which illustrate a single embodiment thereof, and in which Figure 1 is a view in elevation showing switching devices embodying the features of the present invention mounted in operative position on a. pole or tower of a transmission line;

Figure 2 is a side view of the same taken substantially on line II--II of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary horizontal section through the housing for the circuit breaker operating mechanism, showing the cooperative parts thereof Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view of the same, taken substantially on line IV-IV of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is an enlarged transverse sectional view of the same, taken substantially on line V-V of Figure 3;

Figure 6 is an enlarged transverse sectional view showing details of the circuit breaker tripping mechanism, taken substantially on line VI-VI Of Figure 3; 50 Figure 'l is an enlarged fragmentary plan view showing the cooperative relationship of the parts of the tripping mechanism. when the circuit breaker contacts are in closed position;

Figure 8 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational 55 the cross arm structure i by cables 26 and 2'! view of the same, certain parts being shown in full, taken substantially on line VIII-Vm of Figure 7; and

Figure 9 is a view schematically showing the operating mechanism for the circuit breaker and also showing the electrical connections for the various instrumentalities which comprise the control equipment.

As shown on the drawings:

In the illustrated embodiment of the present invention, there is shown in Figure 1 a plurality of unitary switching devices, A, B, and C, which are cooperatively associated with the conductors of a transmission line and are suspended from an arm, generally indicated at l0, oi' a transmission line tower or pole il.

In the embodiment shown in Figures l and 2,

tures of a double break circuit breaker and disconnecting switch elements, although the fea-- tures of the invention are with equal facility adaptable to a switching device having single break circuit breaker features. Each of the switching units broadly includes a centrally disposed housing I2 for the operating mechanism of the circuit breaker parts. At each end of this housing, there is secured an insulator i3 upon which is mounted a bell-shaped hood or casing I4 which encloses the circuit breaker contact elements. In this instance. the hood i4 also forms an expansion chamber for the circuit breaker iuid. This chamber is extended in the form of a tubular member i5 which is closed at its upper end and also forms a bracket having outwardly extending spaced lugs I6 and i1. The lugs I6 and i1 serve as a guide for a reciprocably mounted rod I8 which is provided at its upper end with a Y-shaped contact member i3 which is adapted to engage the conductors 20 and 23', which cooperate to form one element of the transmission line. These conductors are respectively dead-ended to the cross arm structure i0 through appropriate line type insulators 2i-2i.

Secured to the rod i8 between the lugs i6--i1 is a stop or abutment member 22 which functions to abut the lug I6 and linut the upward movement of the rod I8 under the inuence of a compression spring 23 having one end bearing against the member 22 and its other end bearing against the lug i1.

'I'he central housing i2 is provided with lifting lugs 24 and 25 at its respective ends. Each of the unitary switching units is supported from which are connected to the lugs 24 and 25, respectively, through appropriate insulators 28 and 29. The cables 26 and 21 of each switching unit are respectively trained around and anchored to winding drums 28 and 29 which are secured to and rotatable with a shaft 36 having its respective ends pinioned in structural members 3i and 32 of the cross arm structure.

The shaft 36 of the outermost switching unit carries a coiling drum 33 and the shafts 36 of the innermost switching units are provided With similar coiling drums 34 and 34', respectively. All the switching units may be raised and lowered simultaneously by means of an operating cable 35 which is trained over a suitable guide pulley and has one end secured to a manually or otherwise Aoperable winding drum 35 which is located near the base of the transmission poie or tower. The other end of the cable 35 is branched as at a point 36 to i'orm three parts 35', 35, and 35"', which are respectively connected to the winding drums 33, 34, and 34'. It will, therefore, be obvious that by operating the drum 36, the switching umts may be raised and lowered relative to the conductors of the transmission line. Moreover, when the units are in raised position, the disconnecting devices resiliently engage the transmission line conductors, and when the switchingdevices are lowered, the disconnecting devices operate to automatically disconnect and isolate the circuit breaker from the transmission line.

Referring to Figures 3 and 4, the details of the operating mechanism for the circuit breaker elements are shown. The disclosed operating mechanism may be adapted for use with a variety of different types of circuit breaker, although it is preferred to use the operating mechanism with a circuit breaker such as described in my copending application Serial No. 753,085, filed Nov. 15, 1934. The circuit breaker described in that application is of the type wherein the contacts are opened in an arc extinguishing fluid, such as oil or vapor. Broadly, the circuit breaker comprises stationary contact elements which are so disposed as to' cooperate with a movable contact element carried by a reciprocable contact rod. On the drawings, this rod is shown as comprising a metallic section 31 and an extension 38 of insulating material, such as horn bre. 'Ihese sections are assembled with a contact member 39 disposed between their contiguous ends.

In the double break arrangement, the contact rods of both circuit breaker units are operated simultaneously. The contact rod 31 is mounted for reciprocable movement and is provided at one end with an abutment member 40 which seats in a dash-pot cup 4| supported on a bracket 42 secured to the housing i 2. 'I'his end of the contact rod carries a coiled spring 43 having one end bearing against the abutment member 40 and its other end bearing against a guide member 44 which is in sliding relation with the rod and is iixedly secured to an endless rack 45. This rack is provided with parallel side portions and curved end portions having inwardly extending teeth 46 which cooperate with the teeth 41 on a driving pinion 48.

The rack is supported on a plate member 49, as shown in Figure 5, and is provided with an inner guide plate 50 and an outer guide plate 5i which overlie the side of the pinion 48 so as to form guiding means for the pinion. The racks are further disposed for longitudinal movement between upper and lower rails 52 and 53 having their ends supported on housing end plates 54 and 55 respectively. These rails support a plurality of pivotally mounted rollers 56 which engage the upper and lower surfaces of the rack during its longitudinal movement.

The pinion 48is secured to a driving shaft 51 which in the case of the one .rack is connected to a beveled gear 58 and in the case of the other rack, to a beveled gear 59: The beveled gears 58 and 59 are driven from a common beveled pinion 66 which is connected to the driving shaft of a low voltage series motor 6I. The motor 6i is pinioned for vertical swinging movement in a pair of spaced brackets 62 and 63, and the driving shaft of this motor, together with the drive shaft 51 upon which the rack pinions are' mounted, are all supported as a unit to enable tilting of the driving mechanism as the pinions follow around the rack teeth. In this arrangement, the racks will be moved in opposite directions at the same time.

vthat if the plates 16 amazes Limit switches 84 and 85 are supported on the lowermost guide rail of one of the racks, each of the switches being provided with an actuating arm 88 which is arranged to be engaged by pins 61 disposed at the respective ends of the rack when it reachesits limit of travel. 'I'hese limit switches are used in connection with the controls ior the operating mechanism, as will be explained later in the description.

As shown in Figures 7 and 8, a tripping mechanism is provided for tripping the circuit breaker so that it will open under abnormal conditions under the influence of the spring 43. For this purpose, the casting 44 is provided with a pair of diametrically opposed radially extending slots 68 and 69, within which there is disposed a latching mechanism for latching the casting 44 and its associated rack to the associated contact rod 31. The rod 31 is provided with a circumferentially extending groove 10 which is adapted to receive a roller 1| which is mounted on a. pivot 12 at the free ends of a pair of parallel arms 13 and 14 which are mounted for unitary swinging movement within the slot 88 about a pivot 15. Rotational movement on the arm 13 is eilected by means of a toggle joint arrangement composed of a pair of triangularly shaped plates 16 and 11 which are supported for pivotal movement upon a pivot pin 18 at one corner.

The plates 18 and 11 are pivotally connected by a pivot pin 19 to one end oi' a link formed by parallel disposed members 88 and 8| which are pivotally connected at their other end to the pivot pin 12. Between the other corresponding corners of the triangular plates 16 and 11, there is pivotally mounted a roller 82. A stop pin 83 is provided for intercepting the counter-clockwise movements of the plates 18 and 11 under the infiuence of a leaf spring 84 which is looped around the stop pin 83 having one end engaging the pivot pin 18 and its other end engaging the pivotpin 19. When the plates 1l and 11 are against the stop pin 83, the toggle is in such position that the roller 1| is disposed in the groove 10 of the rod 31, whereby the bearing casting 44 is interlocked with the rod 31. It will also be evident and 11 are rotated about the pivot pin 18 in a clockwise direction, against the pressure of spring 84, the arms 13 and 14 will be rotated in a counter-clockwise direction about the pivot pin 15 to raise the roller 1| out of the groove 10 to thereby release the shaft 31 for a purpose which will be later explained.

For automatically releasing the locking mechanism just described above, a trip coil 8.6 is provided for actuating a solenoid plunger 88, when the coil is energized. The solenoid plunger 86 is pivotally connected by a pivot pin 81 to one side of a rocker arm 88 which is pivoted on a pair of spaced brackets 89 and 80 by means of a pivot pin 9|. The opposite side of the rocker arm 88 from that to which the solenoid plunger 88 is connected is formed into a pair of spaced arms 92 and 93 which have their ends diametrically disposed on each side of the shaft -31 in such position as to engage the diametrically opposed rollers 82-82 oi' the latching mechanism and actuatev the latch when the tripping coil 86 is energized.`

Referring to Figure 3, it will be noted that a lat-ching mechanism and trip coil is provided for the contact rod 31 of each of the breakers, since the contact-s of the breakers are in series to form a double break arrangement. The electrical circuit between the contact rods 31 of the two circuit breaker mechanisms, when the circuit breaker contacts are closed, would be from the contact rod 31 of one breaker to spring contacts 94 which are supported on end plate 55 so as to frictionally engage the contact rod, through the operating mechanism housing |2 to similarly arranged spring contacts 95 mounted on end plate 54 and thence to the contact rod 31 oi' the other circuit breaker.

Referring to Figure 4, it will be noted that the housing I2 is provided with an auxiliary compartment which is defined by a box-like structure 96 which extends below the housing |2 and is adapted to receive therein a rectifier 91 and a storage battery 98, which may, if desired, be separated by a partition 99. Supported from the respective ends of the box-like structure 96 and disposed therebelow are hooded sockets |00 and |0| which are adapted to receive photo-electric cells |02 and |03, as shown in Figure 9. The use of the devices just described will be more readily understood from a description of the operation of the control means for the circuit breaker operating mechanism, which is diagrammatically shown in Figure 9.

'I'he photo-electric cells are excited and rendered active to pass current by a light source arranged to. project a beam of light from a projector |04 mounted on the transmission line tower or pole, as shown in Figure 1. Referring to Figure 9, the operation is as follows:

The remote control station includes selectively energizable light sources as incandescent lamps |05 and |06. When it is desired to energize lamp |05, a switch |01 is closed which connects the lamp to a source of electrical energy |08 through the following circuit: From one side of the electrical source through switch |01, conductor |09, the lamp |05 and back to the other side of the electrical source through conductor ||0. The source of light |06 is controlled in a similar manner through switch which completes a circuit from one side oi' the electrical source through the conductor ||2, the lamp |06 and back to the other side of the electrical source through conductor ||0, which is common to both lamps.

For closing the circuit breaker under normal conditions, lamp |05 is energized, which projects a beam of light onto photo-electric cell |02. Excitation of this cell energizes the operating coil of a relay I3, through the following circuit: From one side of a local battery ||4, or other source of current through conductor H5, the operating coil of the relay, through conductor ||6, through the photo-electric cell |02 and thence back to the other side of the battery ||4 by a conductor ||1. As soon as relay ||3 picks up, it closes its upper contacts ||8 which energizes the operating coil oi' a relay ||9 through the following circuit: From one terminal of the battery 98 through conductor |20, conductor |2|, conductor |22, contacts ||8, conductor |23, the operating coll of relay ||9, conductor |24, through the lower contacts |25 of relay |26, and thence through conductor |21 to the other terminal of the battery 98.

As soon as relay ||9 picks up, it closes its contact |28 to energize the motor 6| through the following circuit: From one side of battery 98. through conductor |20, conductor |29, through contacts |30- of the limit switch 65, through conductor |3I, the contacts of relay 9, conductor |32conductor |33 to one terminal of motor 6|, and the other terminal of the motor through conductor |34, conductor |35, and thence through CII conductor |27 to the other terminal of the battery'98. The motor 5| being energized operates through beveled gears 55, 58, and 59 to drive the pinions l- 58 which Imove the racks i5-l5 in opposite directions to close the breaker. Since each rack is latched through the latching member 'l to its associated contact rod 3T, the rod 37 is moved so that the contact 55 thereon will interconnect the stationary contact |35 with the spring contact 95, whereby one side of the transmission line 2D is connected to the end plate 55, and the other element of the transmission line 2E' is interconnected through a stationary contact |31 and the spring contact 95 to-encl plate 5t. It will thus be seen that, since the end plate 51| and the end plate 55 form a part of the mechanism housing` the conductors 25 and 2li' are electrically connected to establish a circuit therethrough.

lf itis now desired to open the circuit breaker, the switch |01 being open, switch is closed to energize the light source |55 which in turn excites the photo-electric cell |03. The photoelectric cell |03 being excited by the light rays from the light source |55, the relay |25 is energized through the following circuit: From one side of a local battery |55, or other local source of power, through conductor |55, the operating coil of relay |26, through conductor lfi, through the photo-electric cell |53, and thence through conductor to the other side of the battery |38.

IThe operating coil of relay |25 being energized, the relay picks up to close its upper contact |552 and open its lower contact |25. The closing of contact |52 energizes a relay |55 through the following circuit: From oneside of the battery 55, through conductor |25, conductor itil, the

lowercontact ifll of relay |53, conductor |655, through the operating coil of relay |53, through conductor M5, the upper contact of relay |25, through conductors lill and |2l back to the battery t.

vEnergization of relay |55 causes it to close its lower contact |55 to energize the motor 5| through the following circuit: From one side of the battery 95, through conductor |25, conductor |55, conductor |55, contact |58, conductor |3|, through contact |5| at limit switch 5ft, and thence through conductors |52 and |33 to one terminal of the motor 5| and to the other terminal of the rnotor through conductor |35, conductor |55 and thence through conductor I2? to the other side of the battery 95.

fiirnultaneously` with the closing of the lower contact |55 of relay |65, the upper contact |63 thereof is also closed to trip the circuit breakers sor that they may rapidly open under the influence of springs i5-55. The trip coils 55455 in this case are energized through thefollowing circuit: From one side of the battery 55 through conductor |25, conductor |65, contacts |5301 relay |65, conductor |55, one trip coil 85, conductor |55, the other trip coil 55, conductor |55, conductor |35, and thence through conductor |27 to the other side o1" the battery.

Since the latching members ld are disposed under thel respective trip coils, when the break-4 ers are closed, the energization of the trip coils will unlatch the rods 5l relative to the bearing castings dil, whereupon the compression springs Q3 operate to move the contact rods to circuit open position.

The circuit breakers now being open and the motor 5| running, the motor operates to rotate the pinions {S8-3&3 to move `the respective racks arcanes l5-l5 in the opposite direction to bring them to their normal positions with the circuit breakers open. As a result of this movement of the racks, the latching members 'l5 will again latch the rracking mechanismand the rods 3l together and vcircuit breakers are closed, it will be observed that transmission line current will ow from contacts Hit-|51 through the respective contact rods ill-37 to the contact springs 94 and 95 which are in engagement with the contact rods Si. Moreover, each of the contact rods 5l, when the breakers are closed, is surrounded by a current transformer |55; One of the current transformers |53 is connected through conductors |55 and I 55 to the operating coil of an overload relayv |55. This relay, upon .being energizm by the current transformer during 'overload condition, closes its contacts |57, whereby the tripping coils 55--55 are energized through the following circuit: From one side of the battery 98 through conductor |25, conductor |55, conductor |55, contacts |5l of relay |56, conductor |58, trip coil 85, conductor |59, the other trip coil 85, and thence through conductor |58, conductor |35 and conductor |27 to the other side of the battery. The operation of the trip coils in opening the circuit breakers is the same as already described above.

The other current transformer |53 is connected through conductors |5| and |52 to one set of terminals of the rectier Sl. The other set of terminals are, of course, connected to the storage battery, so that the battery will be charged from the transmission line.

It will be observed that the contacts of the limit switches 64 and 65 also function to bridge the contacts |28 and |68 of relays ||5 and |55 during the initial closing and opening operations. The switches |01 and need therefore be closed only ashort time and may be immediately opened after the closing and opening operation has begun. Y l Y In the control arrangement described above, the photo-electric cells |02 and |53 will, when simultaneously excited by sunlight or other light source than the sources |55 and |55, operate to simultaneously energize relays |63 and |26. However, the circuit breaker mechanism will not be operated, since the contacts of these relays are interlocked through each other.

From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that the herein described invention provides operating means for a circuit breaker which permits its embodiment in a unitary switching device having both circuit breaker features and disconnecting switch features, which embodies novel control equipment which, together with the foregoing feature, enables an economical installation in outdoor stations, and in which the control station for the circuit breaker is connected to a non-metallic channel, thus protecting the operator against possible injury.

In the description and claims defining the present` invention, the terms circuit breaker and disconnecting switch are used in the iol- A lowing sense:

Circuit weaken- A device constructed prirnarily for the interruption of a vcircuit under J? infrequent abnormal conditions; for example, an overload.

Disconnecting switch.-A device ordinarily used for sectionalizing bus bars or circuits, or for isolating apparatus for grounding or repair, but not for switching under load.

Now, it is of course to be understood that although I have described in detail a preferred embodiment of my invention, the invention is not to be thus limited but only insofar as defined by the scope and spirit of the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. The combination with an overhead transmission line including a pair of dead-ended conductors, of switching means comprising a metal housing, a circuit breaker within said housing, manually controlled means Within said housing for actuating said circuit breaker to open and to closed position, contact members for said circuit breaker carried by said housing, ilexible means for suspending said housing free of the ground with said contact members in engagement with the respective conductors, and insulators between said flexible means and said housing, whereby said metallic housing may assume a potential diiering from that of the ground.

2. The combination comprising an overhead transmission line including a pair of dead-ended conductors, a circuit breaker having circuit-controlling contacts between terminals adapted for engagement with said conductors, a metal casing housing said circuit breaker, and suspension means to raise and lower the casing to establish and disestablish an electrical circuit between said terminals and conductors.

3. In combination, an elevated transmission line, a circuit breaker and means suspending the same contiguous said line and in electrical circuit therewith, power means independent of said line and carried by said breaker for opening and closing the same, and means to control the operation of said power means, said control means being remotely located and out of electrical connection with said power means.

4. In combination, a suspended transmission line, a circuit breaker suspended above ground contiguous said line and in electrical circuit therewith, power means independent of said line and carried by said breaker for opening and closing the same, means to control the operation of said power means, said control means having electrically energizable parts local to the power means, and electrically energizable parts remote thereto, and a non-metallic channel for interconnecting the local and remotely located parts.

5. In combination with a switching device having contacts operable to open and close an electrical circuit, a metal housing for said switching device, means insulating said housing from ground, power means independent of said electrical circuit for operating said contacts, control means for said power means including a remotely located station, and a connection to said station including a non-metallic channel.

6 In combination with a switching device having contacts adapted to open and close an electrical circuit, a metal housing for said switching device, means insulating said housing from ground, power means independent of said electrical circuit for operating said contacts, electrically energizable means including a photo-electric cell for controlling the power means, and remotely located light-producing means operable to vary the operating characteristics of the photo-electric cell.

7. In combination with a switching device hav-A ing contacts adapted to open and close an electrical circuit, a metal housing for said switching device, means insulating said housing from ground, power means independent of said electrical circuit for actuating said contacts, control means for said power means including a device having characteristics responsive to light rays, and a remotely located source of light for controlling the characteristics of said device.

8. Operating means for a circuit breaker having a pair of contacts movable into and out of engagement to open and close an electrical circuit, means operative in one direction to close the contacts and in another direction to open the contacts under normal conditions in said circuit, a spring under compression during normal closing of the breaker, and means energizable to release said spring to open the contacts under abnormal conditions in said circuit, said first means being operative, when moved in a direction to normally open the contacts, to compress said spring after it has functioned to open the contacts under abnormal conditions.

9. Operating means for a circuit breaker having contacts adapted to be opened and closed to control an electric circuit, said means comprising an automatically reversing elongated rack, a member for latchingly connecting the rack to one of said contacts, whereby movement of the rack in one direction will close the contacts, mooor means for moving said rack in opposite directions to effect the normal opening and closing of the contacts, a compression spring operative independently of said rack and motor means to open said contacts upon releasing said member, and means responsive to an abnormal condition in the electrical circuit for releasing said member when the contacts are closed, the subsequent movement of the rack in the contact opening direction operating to recompress the spring and latchingly connect the rack and contacts after the spring has functioned to open the contacts.

10. In a power transmission system, the combination with an overhead transmission line including a pair of dead-ended conductors, supporting means, and insulators suspending the adjacent ends of said conductors upon said supporting means, of a unitary switching device comprising a metallic housing, terminal contact members carried by and insulated from said housing, a circuit breaker within said housing for completing a circuit between said contact means, means suspending said housing upon said supporting means, said suspending means including insulators at said housing and cables extending from said insulators to the supporting means, and means operable from the ground for actuating said cables to raise said housing to engage said contact members with said conductors and to lower said housing to separate said contact members from said conductors.

GEO. A. MA'I'IHEWS. 

